We park almost at the end of the parking lot so that we can be next to each other given that it's already so crowded and it'll be easier to remember where we parked. We join the small crowd of people heading to the gym and go through the process of purchasing tickets, using the bathroom, and finding our seats. We are seated next to the tunnel our players will be coming out of and I just so happen to have the end seat. I take my seat and relax into the chair and chat with the girls while we wait for the game to start. Suddenly the lights dim and the announcer begins…here comes the away team and their starting lineup. They look confident and very sure of themselves as they proceed to their bench.
Then the announcer builds up excitement and with a booming voice introduces the home team and the crowd goes wild! I stand to look over the rail and watch the team jog out and see that the starting lineup is waiting to be called. He starts to call out some of the starting lineup and Mekhi and I make eye contact just as the announcer calls his small forward to the court and I can see emotions play across his face. Satisfaction being the most profound as he blesses me with one of his signature half smiles and jogs onto the court and slaps his other teammates a five.
The game begins after the anthem and jump off and everyone is moving so fast I can hardly keep up. Rylie tries to play commentator by explaining to me what's going on, but I'm so lost in the passionate way the guys are playing the game that it doesn't take me too long to figure it out. Mekhi looks so smooth and elegant with the way he handles the ball, it's no wonder why he's a starter and star of the team. The game is fast paced and the score changes quite a few times, but our team pulls ahead by five points just before the first half is over. I stand up to stretch and Nova and Rylie does the same; we decide to get refreshments as well as take a bathroom break.
"What do you think about the game so far," Nova asks me while we're waiting in line for the bathroom.
"It's good and intense. I didn't know basketball could be this exciting or passionate," I say stretching again.
"Yeah, basketball games can be really fun and entertaining," Nova says moving with the line.
"What do you thing about your boy out there," Rylie asks with a sly look on her face.
"He looks really good and smooth," I say smiling.
"Yeah girl, he is a bomb basketball player," Rylie says smiling back.
"I saw that smile he gave you before he went on to the court," Nova says pulling me along with the line.
"Oh, you saw that," I say feigning innocence.
"Yes, everyone saw it," Nova says with a giggle.
We finally use the bathroom and as I'm washing my hands I check myself out in the mirror and see that I'm really happy, there's life and light in my eyes. I'm glad I came to the game and was able to see Mekhi as well. I didn't think we'd get to see each other before the game and yet that half smile said more than enough for me. I can't say that I have no insecurities, but every time I see him they become smaller and smaller. His smile drives me wild and calms me at the same time. I'm not sure I can wait a few hours more to see him however my girls will help me pass the time before I get too anxious. I also guessed his build right the other day, he is lean and muscular and somehow more attractive right now sweating than he was when I first saw him the other day. I think the passion and drive I see him display on the court make me even more attracted to him than I thought I could be. The girls and I head to the concession stand for slushies and popcorn before returning to our seats and catching the last of the marching band and dance team's performance.
The announcer announces the start of the second half as the players come pouring out of their respective tunnels. I lean over to see Mekhi once more and like a child I reach my hand down for him to smack it as he's coming out of the tunnel. He sees me reaching as he's walking out and he ever so gently squeezes my fingers and let go with a dazzling smile. I bring my hand to my face and look at my girls with what I'm sure the dumbest smile they have ever seen and I don't even care. I scream and cheer with the rest of the crowd and really settle down into the rest of the game.
They came out giving it their all on both sides and now there is less than two minutes left in the game and we're up by two points. The other team's star is coming down the court hard and everyone scrambles to stop him, but it's too late he dunk's the ball hard and tie the game. The guys get the rebound and come down the court lost leisurely passing the ball around with precision, Mekhi signal's for the ball and he's immediately tailed by two players. He gets away from them just as the ball is passed to him and stops and pulls up one of the most beautiful shots I've seen all game and it sinks in the net pulling us ahead by three. There is less than thirty seconds left in the game and the guys apply pressure against the opposing team leaving them no openings as the time runs out the ball is shot into the air and we all hold our breath. They missed! The ball circled the rim and rolled right out! We won! We won! I scream and shout and hug my girls like the rest of the audience.
When we finally exit the gym my voice is hoarse and I'm still happy with the outcome of the game. Nova, Rylie, and I walk arm in arm in arm back to our cars while many remained behind to continue celebrating. The air is light in the late afternoon sun and filled with continued cheers from fans and supporters. When we finally reach our cars after walking for what seems like forever I open my back door and just lay across the seats.
"Y'all still wanna go to the mall," Rylie asks sounding as exhausted as I feel.
"I'm pooped," I say stretching out in the backseat.
"I am too, we can't just sit here in the parking lot though," Nova says logically.
"Alright, let's take ten minutes to collectively get ourselves together, then we can decide what to do after that," Rylie says.
"Cool," Nova and I say in response.
I lay back and let myself relax as much as possible in the back seat of my car. I can't believe I sat through an entire basketball game and enjoyed every minute of it. All four years of high school I didn't attend one game, no one could convince me to go. It's not that I dislike basketball, but the games on TV aren't even that exciting so I didn't think it would be any better in person. I have this new experience because Mekhi insisted that I come to his game and I'm glad that I did. We made eye contact twice and he reached up to squeeze my fingers, is that the sign I'm looking for? My heart is racing just thinking about him. He said that he wants me and we're hanging out later on hopefully he shows what he means by that this evening. I don't even know what we are going to do; we didn't plan anything besides to meet up. I check my phone to see if I have any missed notifications and there aren't any, but I take my phone off vibrate since we're no longer in the gym. I think I'm going to change my mind about going to the mall now that I've had a little rest.
"So what do you guys want to do," I ask sitting up not sure if ten minutes has passed or not.
"I'm okay with going to the mall as long as we're not doing too much walking around," Nova says stretching.
"Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing. What about you Rylie," I ask.
"We can do that. I don't want to do too much either. We can hit a couple of stores just to see," Rylie says getting out of her car to stretch. Nova and I do the same thing and I feel as though I have a little more energy than I previously thought.
"Alright y'all, I'm ready when y'all are," I say getting into the driver's seat and starting the engine.
"Cool, lead the way Rylie," Nova says as she starts her car.
"Let's roll," Rylie calls out as she pulls out of her parking spot and I follow her and Nova follows me.
As we ride to the mall I crack the windows to enjoy the still nice weather and turn on the radio. I let whatever is on the radio play and enjoy the ride. It takes us fifteen minutes to get out of the parking lot and ten extra minutes to leave the campus. When we finally get to the mall we find that it's crowded here as well however we are able to get good parking by a department store that's part of the mall. We park next to each other once again and before I get out of the car I check and reapply lip gloss and grab my wristlet. We walk into the mall and decide to grab a pretzel and soda before we check out any stores. With pretzels and drinks in tow we head to our first store and laugh and giggle our way in and out of the fitting rooms trying on different outfits.
"That was fun and refreshing," I say before sipping my soda.
"Yeah, it was. Let's find another store," Rylie says and we head back into the crowded mall to find our next destination.
We end up going into four more stores collecting items with each store we pass through. I end up with two new swimsuits, a pair of glasses, a pair of sandals, three flip flops, a sun hat, four tops, three bottoms, and some jewelry. We'll definitely have to be on someone's beach this summer after this shopping trip, I think to myself. My phone starts ringing.